MaFF Monday #24: Meet Kristen of Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker

Today we are spending some time with Kristen, from Florida, of Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker:

1) Tell us a little about the “birth” of your blog. How long have you been blogging and why did you decide to start? Your blog is almost 3 years old… what is the greatest thing you’d say you’ve learned about blogging and would you have done anything differently if you were starting it today with the knowledge you have now?

I started my blog on a whim. I knew nothing of blogging, but had started reading a few that were referenced in a Yahoo group that I belonged to at the time. I thought that maybe it would be a great way to record some of the great family recipes that had been kept in our family for generations. When I started the blog (October 2008), my family was going through some crazy times. My husband’s business was having difficulties. My youngest son had undiagnosed bipolar disorder that was not being treated properly by his physician. “Harried” just seemed to fit my frame of mind.

I knew nothing about blogging. I certainly didn’t know how much time I would end up devoting to it! I have learned so much in the process. I have also met so many wonderful people from all over the world. Food blogging is a close knit community of thousands!

2) I love the Saturday Stories feature of your blog… what a great way to create a written record of your family history for your children and future generations. Do you have a favorite one, and if so, what makes it your favorite?

As a New Year’s resolution in 2009, I started “Saturday Stories.” Each week I record a story from my family’s history. Sometimes the post is about my kids, sometimes it is about my great great grandparents. I bug my parents for information when my own well of knowledge runs low. That has been a most rewarding undertaking. All three of my brothers have started tuning in each week to learn things they hadn’t known about the family. It has been a wonderful way to capture family memories. Perhaps one of my favorite posts in the series was the one titled “Having a Rainbow Family”, where I talked about adopting my four sons.

3) What feature of your blog would you like most for us to know about?

This year, I started “Your Recipe, My Kitchen” which is a linky party that anyone can join. I am making my way through a huge list of bookmarked recipes from other blogs. I always include a link to the recipe I make so others can check out that other blog, too.

Kristen says she’s not sure that there is just one recipe she would recommend as a starting point because there are so many different levels of cooks and so many different tastes. In 2010, she did a yearlong series called “Make Your Own Monday.” Each week, she made something that normally one would buy in a grocery store. Some of the recipes included pop tarts, egg McMuffins, candybars, twinkies and pizza rolls. Corn dogs and Entenmann’s cheese filled crumb coffee cake were two of my favorites. I think the coffee cake would have to be the first I’ll try!

You’ll want to check out her Giant Cinnamon Roll, part of our Star Recipes… add yours if you haven’t already!

Now, for your recipes or other food posts! If you are new, check out our Make a Food-“e”-Friend (MaFF) Monday page for more information on what this party is all about, specifics about how to link from your blog, and for more on how you can be a Featured Food-“e”-Friend in the future.

Just a few reminders before linking:

1) You can link a recipe or any type of food-related blog post (including giveaways or free food coupon offers). Make sure you use the URL for the actual post and not your blog (or those interested in what you are sharing may not be able to find it if it’s not your most recent post and will miss out on what you wanted to share!).

2) Don’t forget to link back to MaFF Monday, using either a text link or the button image. To make it easier:

A text link: Make a Food-“e”-Friend Monday

Button linking back to this week’s party (highlight, copy and paste into your post):

3) Most of all, have fun and be sure to check out anything that interests you that others have brought to the party. (How else will you make new Food-“e”-Friends?!)

I would love to make it around to every single link each week (but usually am unable to), and I always enjoy seeing the different things that are shared and check back when looking for new ideas.

(Link-up open through Wednesday):

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If you have a moment, be sure to check out our Christmas series, which will begin in September, and how you can be involved (you do not have to have a blog):

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About the Author

Adopted at age 2, grew up in the Charlotte, NC area. Obtained Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Appalachian State University. Loves being a Mom of two and taste-testing Chef John's culinary creations and sharing them with readers.